christmas – A Styled Mind

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‘TIS THE SEASON!

December 23, 2021 1 Comment

Another year has flown by and now that we’re just days away from Christmas, I can honestly say that my sense of gratitude is at an all time high. As a society, we have endured so much over the last 24 months and though tomorrow is always uncertain, I feel incredibly blessed that I am able to do a bit of celebrating with my family and friends this year. On to more lighthearted topics, I am also extremely proud of myself for getting my gift shopping done early and not waiting until the very last minute. This is unfortunately something I typically do which in a weird way adds to the excitement of the holidays. However, this season, I wanted to take a different approach and get it out of the way so that I could focus on the things that matter most. TIME. We all know the saying, “time flies when you’re having fun,” but we’ve also learned that during the moments that aren’t the most pleasant, it seems to move just as quickly. Appreciating loved ones while enjoying the moments spent together are what should be cherished in this life and never taken for granted. Whether I’m looking for presents or not, I’ll forever make the effort to run around the city and browse different stores mainly to see the decorative window displays and festive garnishing. That said, it was only right that I close out 2021 with at least one shoot in a mall setting. The lights, trees, and music made for an absolutely magical backdrop, and I was quite pleased with the overall outcome. I had recently purchased this bright green cut-out knit which I thought would be the perfect piece for any casual holiday gatherings that I might attend. To mimic the wrap detail on my top, I paired it with light-washed denim featuring a similar asymmetric button closure. For outerwear, I grabbed an old multicolored faux fur coat that I’ve had in my collection for nearly a decade! I take pride in being able to re-wear and style pieces in my wardrobe that I frankly forgot about, while giving them a new life in a more contemporary way. I finished off the ensemble with a pair of metallic heels and silver jewelry for some additional sparkle. Realistically, despite a possible change in footwear, I would absolutely wear this outfit while partaking in any of the merry activities this season has to offer. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time! Happy Holidays!!!

In the vault

CALI CHRISTMAS

December 20, 2019 No Comments

For the second look of my holiday series, I wanted to focus on attire that would be suitable for any semi-casual gathering with friends. This was an easy ensemble to pull together because it was basically composed of a few of my favorite pieces that I recently added to my wardrobe. I had been looking at these criss-cross jeans for about a month before a pulled the trigger and decided to purchase them; and although they were a bit pricey, I truly have no regrets! For me, the unique closure and boyfriend fit was enough to make me feel confident that I would get more than my cost per wear over the seasons to come. Another piece I have truly been obsessed with is this cream bustier blouse featuring a chic open back panel. In my opinion, these two garments together made for the most perfect street-style magic! That being said, I couldn’t just stop there; after all, it is the most festive time of year! To really get a true sense of the party season, I relied heavily on my accessories to pull this entire look together. For shoes, I pulled out my velvet cranberry colored booties and threw on a red lip to compliment them. Of course no holiday look would be complete without a bit of glitz, so I reached for my favorite chandelier earrings and newest chain-mail bag for an edgy flare. I was lucky enough to shoot this outfit on a day where it wasn’t absolutely freezing, and though it was the clearest of days in terms of sunshine, I was still getting all of the 90’s west coast vibes from this look. I personally don’t think I could ever live in a place that doesn’t get cold during this time of year; but I have to admit, Christmas shopping in a cropped top doesn’t sound all that bad, LOL! I loved this look because it represented exactly how I want to go into the new year; relaxed, cool, and effortless. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Asos

Jeans- Agolde

Boots- Zara

Bag- Topshop

Earrings- Mango

In the vault

A CASUAL CHRISTMAS

December 21, 2018 1 Comment

As much as I love the holiday season, I find that sometimes the more lowkey celebrations end up being the best and most memorable. For instance, living in a major city, I find that there is so much hype that comes with preparing for Christmas and New Years that sometimes it can just be an overpriced, under-whelming experience. That being said, I decided to scale things back and style a look perfectly fit for a house party or any type of otherwise “mild” festivities. This year in particular, turtlenecks have really become a staple in my wardrobe so I couldn’t head into 2019 without showcasing this neon green number. I’ve honestly been sitting on this piece for a while as I wasn’t sure if it was too trendy, or if I could pull it off without looking like I was trying too hard. Per usual, I just followed my gut and created a look that I felt comfortable and confident in (which is all that really matters). I recently went to a sample sale and I don’t know about you guys, but for me, those can be some of the most overwhelming environments imaginable. Though I love finding a good deal, the time and effort it takes to sift through the racks while racing to find the “best” pieces before someone else can come and snatch them from your hands, really adds a pressure that I could live without. All in all I survived, and ended up leaving with a chic pair of high-waisted kick flare jeans featuring a 6 button closure and contrast white stitching. Because I wasn’t working with the traditional holiday colors, I wanted to add a bit of sparkle to really bring out that festive undertone. Another trend I’ve been experimenting with a lot more this season is socks paired with heels. I really find this to be such a cute and subtle accent that can easily bring interest to a look that is simple or plain. Funny enough, I didn’t even realize that the socks I decided to wear coordinated perfectly with the white buttons on my trousers. I chose to layer them under a pair of satin heeled sandals which I felt highlighted the sleekness of the look, while the bow detail tied in the overall holiday theme. Lastly, I came across an iridescent beaded bag that I didn’t even know I needed, but totally helped bring all of the elements of my outfit together in the most beautiful way. The variety of colors in this tiny accessory helped to compliment the boldness of my top, while also playing off of the shiny metallic texture of the socks. For the most part I’m definitely planning on keeping things casual this year (though anything can happen, lol). Comment below if you enjoy elaborate holiday celebrations or smaller, more understated gatherings. Happy holidays to you all, & until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Zara

Jeans- Ulla Johnson

Socks- H&M

Heels- Mango

Bag- Free People

In the vault

HOODED CHIC

January 17, 2017 1 Comment

Lately I’ve been noticing a reoccurring trend of incorporating athletic wear with day to day street style looks. I am definitely a huge fan of this and personally think it makes dressing during the colder months much easier. I have always looked up to the women and men who remained effortlessly chic in the winter without drowning in layers of knits and heavy jackets. Unfortunately, I always seem to end up looking like the Michelin man when faced with those below freezing temperatures, LOL. This season however, I have been steadily growing the collection of hoodies in my wardrobe and whether I’m styling them as a dress with my thigh high boots or as just another top layer, they never seem to fail me in terms of being comfy, cool, & casual. We shot this look right after an unexpected snowfall and while I usually don’t mind not being dressed appropriately for the weather, I was adamant about being warm for this one. One of the other habits I tend to fall into during this time of year, like most people, is wearing all black or neutrals. My roommate was actually the one who brought this hoodie to my attention and I instantly knew it would be a great addition to my closet and this look. I definitely wanted to break up the black on my lower half with something a bit more eye-catching, and the rich wine color and velour texture of this piece did just that. I also wanted to showcase this amazing long-line denim coat I purchased months ago. In my history of rocking denim jackets, I have never once owned anything like this– I mean, the fur trim and shearling lining alone screamed “must-have” for me! With so many bold elements on the top I didn’t mind keeping the rest of the look dark. In terms of footwear, I chose to grab one of my Christmas gifts and might I add that these heeled booties fit like dream, no break-in required. So that about sums it up for this one! I’d love to hear your opinions about mixing athletic wear with more formal pieces in the comments below, until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Hoodie- Adidas

Jeans- All Saints

Coat- Zara

Shoes- Cole Haan

In ASM Shop

HOLIDAY WISHLIST 2016

December 22, 2016 No Comments

With Christmas only 3 days away, I wanted to share the items that were on my personal wishlist. I try not to get too overwhelmed with whether or not I actually get what I “wished” for, and rather focus on the giving season while looking forward to the element of surprise. Either way, it’s always fun to write Santa a little list and feel like a kid again. Check out my picks below and I hope you get everything on your list as well! Don’t forget to click the images to shop the items below. Happy Holidays!!!

In ASM Shop

HOLIDAY LOUNGEWEAR

December 15, 2016 No Comments

With the holidays quickly approaching, there are only 2 outfits that I am actually planning for: New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day. While for NYE I put a lot of thought into the statement I want my ensemble to make as I bring in the upcoming year, Christmas Day is a totally different story. I am concerned with one thing, and one thing only…COMFORT. For me, Christmas is probably the most relaxing day of the year. I get up, put on my “outfit” for the day, and literally stay in it ALL day. The past few years I’ve been a proud member of the onesie club, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other options. Check out a few of the items I’ve highlighted below for optimal comfort and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks! Until next time & happy holidays!

In the vault

MERRY CHIC-MAS!

December 25, 2015 5 Comments

Merry Christmas All!!! On this oddly warm Christmas Day, I decided to post my third look for my holiday outfit series. It’s definitely feeling like a Cali Christmas on the east coast, but the warm weather has not stopped the holiday spirit by any means. In efforts to really emphasize the holiday, I chose to center this look around an embellished sweater that I actually bought and wore last year on Christmas Day. I love this top because though it does have the sparkle that most garments possess during the holidays, it is not so obviously “Christmas-themed” and can be worn on many different occasions. To continue to keep things fun and festive, I added a fringe mini skirt on the bottom and my oh-s0-popular thigh high boots for a little added height and warmth. (Side note: I have really been loving pairing navy and black. Is it just me?) This look is perfect for any holiday party, night out, or even dinner with the family. I hope you guys enjoy this look and have a wonderful day with your loved ones! Happy Holidays!!!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- H&M

Skirt- Topshop

Boots- Aldo

In the vault

HOLIDAY HYPED

December 2, 2015 1 Comment

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am a true holiday fanatic! The weeks leading up to Christmas is probably one of my favorite times of the year, and living in New York I get my full share of the holiday spirit. I am a sucker for all of the decorations, lights, and most importantly the shopping! Though this is not necessarily a “holiday look,” I wanted to show my excitement by doing a shoot in one of the most festive areas of the city: Rockefeller Center. This area truly becomes like something out of a Christmas Carol during the holidays and with the annual tree lighting happening tonight, I just couldn’t resist! Now on to the outfit. This look is minimal and in my opinion consists of a lot of basics that anyone could already have in their closet. The purpose of this outfit was to show that simple pieces can still make a statement. I was beyond excited to debut my satin detailed vest that I was lucky enough to get from the Balmain x H&M collaboration, even after the site crashed. To add a little texture and edge to the look I grabbed my favorite distressed jeans but still kept the look refined with a crisp white button up shirt and closed toe pumps. To me, you can never go wrong with looks like this because they always bring an element of “chic” to any occasion. So are you as pumped as I am for the holidays? Make sure that no matter what your plans are, you enjoy time with your loved ones and look fashionable doing it! 🙂

Outfit Details:

Shirt- Calvin Klein

Vest- Balmain x H&M

Jeans- Urban Outfitters

Heels- Zara